The State of Indiana requires that both partners be present when obtaining a marriage license.  Both parties must provide a government issued ID to prove who they are and swear in front of the information provided on the marriage license application is correct and sign the license.  

There are a few exceptions.  Each county had different procedures and interpretations of the law.  Marion and Hamilton County both have virtual appointment options.  You both have to be on the same video call with the clerk but you can call in from different locations.  After your virtual appointment, the clerk can either mail you the marriage license or it can be picked up. In this case, you don't have to pick it up together.  

If one of the partners applying for the marriage license is incarcerated, some counties have procedures in place for obtaining a marriage license.  You will have to contact your clerk directly.  Most clerks do not - but it doesn't hurt to ask.  Marion County DOES have this option.  You need to be a Marion County Resident to obtain your marriage license in Marion County.  Johnson and Hendricks Counties DO NOT.    

You can definitely get married with your dog!!   I LOVE dogs!!  We used to marry couples in our house and our dog was the perfect little witness!    Here are some things you should know:

I perform a lot of small weddings and elopements in homes and parks.  Some couples choose to elope in the park where they walk their dogs!  Many wedding venues allow dogs at the ceremony.  Some allow dogs at the reception.  Most ask that your dog be taken home after the ceremony.  

We do not allow dog in our office.  We rent an office in a professional building.  Legitimate service animals are allowed.  I am happy to to marry you outside on Monument Circle with your dog. 

If you just bought a little vest on Amazon so you can take your dog everywhere, please do not bring your dog with you. If they make a mess, I'm going to have to deal with that mess.  I once had a couple bring their dog to our house for a wedding and the dog pooped on the floor and the couple flat out denied their dog did it?!?!  Sometimes I'm just too nice and I've learned the hard way.  

Zoom or video weddings are not legal in Indiana.  We are happy to zoom or video chat with your family and friends during your wedding but both partners and their wedding officiant must be in the same place during the wedding.  

Some states did allow Zoom weddings during COVID 19 lock downs.  Those states passed temporary laws to allow the process and those temporary laws have expired.  Indiana NEVER allowed Zoom Weddings. 

If one partner is incarcerated, they may get married by video chat.  Those video chat weddings are arranged and held in the prison facility.  Some jail facilities may allow video-chat weddings because they do not have in-person visitation. 
​THIS MUST BE ARRANGED AND APPROVED BY THE FACILITY!

We are full-time wedding officiants.  We specialized in marrying couples in just about any way they want to be married.  We have an office on Monument Circle that we use for simple civil ceremonies.  We have room for 6 witnesses seated or 8 witnesses standing.  If you don't want to get married in our office, we are happy to come to you!  

We travel throughout the greater Indianapolis area to perform all types of weddings.  You may choose to get married at home, in a park, a restaurant, small venue, or a large formal venue.  We have different packages and prices to suit any type of wedding ceremony you may choose to have.  

We perform a lot of simple civil ceremonies during the week but weekends are usually filled with more formal weddings.  Victoria has over 13 years experience performing weddings in Indiana.  We offer many ceremony script options or a ceremony created just for you!

No!  You don't need wedding rings to get married.  A couple is not legally required to exchange rings during a wedding ceremony and it is up to the two of you to decide if you want to wear them during your marriage. 

This question is usually asked when a couple ordered their rings by mail and they haven't been delivered yet,  but some partners choose not to wear a wedding ring.

The first time a couple told me only the bride would be wearing a wedding band I was surprised.  They went on to explain that the groom would not wear the ring due to his job and his father never wore a ring either.  They decided they had other things to spend money on and I agreed - it's logical.  

Since that time, I've met many couples choosing not to wear rings.  Usually the groom is an electrician, machinist, or does work with their hands.  Some couples choose tattoos!  

No!  You do not need to return your completed marriage license back to the clerk together.  You don't even have to take the marriage license back in person - they allow you to mail it.  Anyone can return a marriage license to the clerk's office.  

Indiana marriage laws state that the wedding officiant is responsible for returning the marriage license to the clerk.  This is not really enforced.  Usually, couples return the marriage license themselves.  It's easier.  

Some counties include certified copies when you pay for your marriage license when it is issued.  You can mail your license to them and they will automatically mail certified copies to you.  

Other counties do not allow you to pay ahead for marriage license copies, they require you to request and pay for the marriage licenses after you are married.  If your wedding officiant returns the marriage license, you still need to request and pay for copies.  It's usually easier for you to do that.  

My office is in Marion County and the Marion County Clerk requires you to request your copies after your wedding.  If you book a wedding with me that costs $150 or more, I will return your marriage license for you and mail you two certified copies.  I include that in the package.  I walk from my office to the clerk every Monday to return licenses.  This is super-convenient for Marion County residents.  The surrounding counties are usually much more accessible with free parking and no downtown traffic.  It will take you a matter of minutes to return the license and get the copies directly in your hands.  

Yes.  You do need an appointment to get married. We offer walk-in weddings in our office every Friday from 8:30-5.  You need an appointment at all other times.  We are not just in our office waiting for couples to come in and get married. We usually have same-day appointments available.  Call us at (317)403-7379.  If we are not in the office you will need to schedule an appointment with a payment.  I've been burned more than once waiting for a couple who said they would be there and then they never show. We can usually be in the office in an hour or so depending on the time of day you call. 

We have an office in an office building.  The building itself is open to the public Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 on regular business days.  It is locked at all other times.  We are available EVERY day until 8.  We just need to let you in the building -  So, we need to know you are coming.  

After you are married your marriage license must be returned to the county clerk the issued it.  They will then issue you a certified copy of the marriage license proving you are married.  Once you have that, you need to change your name through Social Security.  You can find more information about that on the social security website here:  ​https://www.ssa.gov/personal-record/change-name

Your name is legally changed through social security.  They will issue a new card with your new name - you keep the same number.  Then you can change your name on your drivers license.  With the new social security card and new drivers license, you will will be able to change your name with everyone else. 

No, your name does not automatically change when you get married in Indiana.  When you sign your marriage license, you sign it with your current name.  When you file the completed marriage license and receive a certified copy, you can use that certified copy to change your name with Social Security.  After that, you can change it everywhere else.

The State of Indiana does not require any Visa or proof of residency status in order to issue a marriage license.  You only need to prove who you are with a government issued ID such as a driver's license, passport, birth certificate, or military ID.  Documents must be translated into English. 

I have married many couples from other countries while they are in Indiana on vacation. We regularly marry couples from all over the world.  Generally, a wedding in the US is valid in other countries.  You will want to check with your local government in your home country to be sure.   You may need an apostille on your marriage license in order for it to be valid in your country. 

I don't give legal advice.  If you are a foreign national and in the US legally or illegally, I do advise you contact a competent immigration attorney before getting married to make sure you are doing everything correctly. 

You only need to prove your address if you are an Indiana resident.  This allows you to pay the in-state resident fee instead of the out of state resident fee.  

If you live in Indiana, you must apply for your marriage license in the county in which you live and can prove your address.  If you and your partner have addresses in different counties, you can apply in either county. 

If you are not an Indiana resident, you must apply for your marriage license in the county in which you are being married.  If you are not an Indiana resident and want to get married in our office on Monument Circle you must obtain your marriage license from the Marion County Clerk in Indianapolis. 

If you live in Indiana, you must obtain your marriage license from the county clerk where you live.  Then, you can get married anywhere in Indiana. 

We are available to marry couples every day.  Our business hours are:
Monday-Saturday from 8 am - 8 pm.
Sunday from 10 am - 6 pm.

We offer several services and different prices. Our least expensive wedding is $100 and our most expensive package is $500.

Our $100 Civil Ceremony Service is only available in our office or on Monument Circle Monday-Friday from 8:30-5.  We do not offer $100 services on holidays or days the Marion County Clerk is closed and/or not issuing marriage licenses.  

You can get married in our office any evening or weekend for $150.  We perform weddings outside of our office in the greater Indianapolis area starting at $150.  

Click here for a list of our services.  

You will need to contact your county clerk to ask specific questions about their procedures.  Some county clerks do require appointments.  Most do not.  I do know that the Marion County Clerk does not require an appointment.  The Hamilton County Clerk does.  Here is a link to help you find the contact information for your county clerk. 

You can get married without witnesses in Indiana.  Witnesses are not required to be legally married in Indiana.  There is no place for witnesses to sign on the actual marriage license.  You can "kind of" get married in secret.  

However...

A marriage license is a public record.  Many newspapers publish the marriage licenses they issue in the newspaper.  The Indy Star does not publish marriage licenses issued in Marion County. Other counties in Indiana do.  

If someone knows how to search government databases, they can find your marriage.  

I am open to officiating weddings in prison.  I have performed several marriages in correctional facilities in Indiana.  All I do is sign your marriage license and perform a short ceremony.  That is all I have control over.  You need to get approval from the prison and obtain the marriage license.  You can read more information about my services here by clicking here.  

Indiana law requires that a couple seeking to obtain a marriage license must appear in person at their county clerk.  You must appear together.  You cannot apply for a marriage license on behalf of another person. 

​A wedding officiant cannot obtain your marriage license for you in Indiana.  

There are some exceptions in some counties. Some counties have virtual appointments available and they will mail the license to you after the appointment.  If you are marrying a person who is incarcerated, a few counties have procedures in place to issue a license.

Witnesses are not required to be legally married in Indiana.  There is no place for them to sign on the actual, legal marriage license.